In many companies, the formats used are powerful temperature regulators for the culture. They show how an organization really ticks, whether warmth, openness and energy are tangible – or whether cool distance and control set the tone. And they can help to regulate the temperature. Because this is where values and culture come to life.
Formats as the pulse of corporate culture
Whether in a town hall, a team meeting or a digital coffee break – each format speaks its own language. It shows how much room there is for genuine encounters, exchange and trust – or how quickly distance and routine take over.
A town hall with open Q&A slots stands for dialog and eye level. However, if questions are moderated away, it comes across as staged and not very credible. A virtual coffee break can create closeness – or stress and distance if it degenerates into an annoying compulsory exercise. A simple, short feedback session at the end of a meeting, on the other hand, can show that learning and dealing with mistakes are an accepted and lived part of everyday life. The difference lies in the design. In the fine details that make the difference: the attitude and love with which a format is designed, the regularity with which it takes place and the type of moderation/guidance that appreciates and classifies.
Format design = change design
Every format that brings people together is also a building block of cultural change. If we design formats carefully, we not only influence how work is done, but also how the culture can develop.
Let’s take a meeting: a cleverly designed meeting structure can create trust; a poorly planned communication series, on the other hand, can promote cynicism. Formats translate the values from paper into everyday life – they make the culture visible and tangible – and put it to the test.
Five principles for effective format design
Good formats follow principles that consciously create atmosphere.
| Principle | Principle Description | Effect on culture |
| Participative | Involve people in the format design | Creates ownership and credibility |
| Rhythm & return | Rituals instead of ad hoc formats | Gives stability and orientation |
| Allow ambiguity | Room for open questions and uncertainty | Promotes a culture of learning and error |
| Integrated feedback | Build in feedback channels and reflection loops | Stimulates dialog and trust |
| Hybrid & multiformat | Different accesses (digital, analog, asynchronous) | Increases inclusion and flexibility |
These principles have a fine-tuning effect on the working atmosphere. They create spaces in which people can be open and honest and express themselves. If we consciously promote this atmosphere, we contribute to a culture in which trust, openness and genuine listening can be practiced.
The conscious creation of atmosphere is, if it is meant honestly, the best example of good cultural work. Because every moderation, every choice of words, every ritual sends a signal: we are transparent – or: we (only) tell you what is necessary. We listen to you and are interested in your concerns – or: we have no room for your input.
Good formats are strategically planned spaces. They bring to light what is written in mission statements and thus bring the organization’s values to life. If you want to strengthen your own culture, you can test the formats for their suitability. For example, by asking the following questions:
- Which of my formats create a connection?
- Where to experience employees real participation?
- And which format is particularly good at conveying the culture we want to live?
The invitation is: listen to the needs of your teams, design formats with passion and use them as a bridge to a culture that creates real closeness and connection. Because every format is a step into the future – an opportunity to live the culture and develop it further.
Do you want to carry out a proper analysis of your tool landscape? With focus group surveys and interviews? And with an external perspective? Please get in touch: hello(@)montua-partner.de